Kottayam: The people of Puthuppally observed the second death anniversary of their long-time MLA and former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Friday, with a memorial gathering organised by the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC).

Titled ‘Oommen Chandy Smritisangamam’, the event was held at the St George Orthodox Church grounds in Puthuppally. Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, inaugurated the programme at 10 am, with KPCC president Sunny Joseph presiding.

The event was attended by a host of senior Congress leaders, including VD Satheesan, KC Venugopal, Ramesh Chennithala, and IUML leader Sadiq Ali Thangal. Oommen Chandy’s son and Puthuppally MLA Chandy Oommen thanked party colleagues and religious leaders for their presence and support.

Speaking at the event, Rahul Gandhi described Oommen Chandy as a rare political figure who truly felt the people’s pain.

“When I joined politics in 2004, I came across many types of leaders: those with great ideas, orators, and deep thinkers. But what people truly need is a leader who feels their problems even before thinking or speaking about them. Oommen Chandy was one of the masters of political feeling. He literally gave his life for the people of Kerala,” Rahul said. He recalled how Chandy defied medical advice to join the Bharat Jodo Yatra, underscoring his deep commitment to the people. Even when he was unfairly targetted by others, he never spoke ill of anyone, he added.

KPCC president Sunny Joseph called Chandy an “irreplaceable loss to Kerala politics,” saying he lived on through those he inspired. IUML's Sadiq Ali Thangal praised Chandy’s legacy of people-centric governance and his deep connection to the people of Puthuppally. Several religious leaders also paid rich tributes to the late leader.

As part of the Smrititharangam initiative, Rahul Gandhi handed over keys to 12 newly built houses for the poor, constructed by the Oommen Chandy Foundation. He also launched a new charitable programme and distributed documents for bone conduction treatment for three hearing-impaired children, continuing Chandy’s legacy of supporting vulnerable groups.

“Every social worker must strive to be like Oommen Chandy — to hold the marginalised and ignored close to our hearts. No Malayali lives without powerful memories of him,” said Opposition Leader VD Satheesan.

Before the programme, Rahul Gandhi paid floral tributes at Chandy’s grave at St George Church. The event drew thousands of supporters, local residents, and members of Chandy’s family. The KPCC said the memorial meet was a tribute to Chandy’s life of public service, compassion, and lasting connection with the people of Kerala. Religious and cultural figures also joined the event in remembrance.

Following the gathering in Puthuppally, Rahul Gandhi was scheduled to travel to Thiruvananthapuram to meet senior Congress leader A K Antony before returning to Delhi.The KPCC has also called for statewide memorial activities, including charitable drives organised by local Congress units to honour Oommen Chandy’s memory.